BANGKOK, | One of the world’s leading tourism industry futurists, Dr Ian Yeoman will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Tourism Strategy Forum, which is bringing together tourism marketers, planners and strategists from across the Asia Pacific region.

Dr Yeoman is one of the few professional crystal ball gazers specialising in the global travel and tourism industry. He perfected his trade as the scenario planner for VisitScotland, where he established the process of futures thinking within the organisation using a variety of economic modelling and strategy planning techniques.

Taking place in Kunming, China (PRC), on October 30 -November 1, 2008 the PATA forum will focus on best practice in research and its application in the development and execution of tourism strategy. Over two full days, delegates will attend five informative and interactive workshops as well as a China-focused seminar.

Coming on the cusp of what is likely to be a difficult year for the industry in 2009, the Forum will arm tourism industry professionals with new concepts, ideas and techniques with which to face the toughest of operating environments.

According to Dr Yeoman: “The global tourism industry faces many challenges in the short term and structural changes in the longer term. Imagine a world of sustainable cities, space travel, nations going to war over water supply, personal carbon travel allowances and scarcity of oil. These are just some of the changes that could occur between now and 2050.

"Given the economic uncertainties in the financial markets or the exponential growth in technologies, our industry will need to focus more attention on sound business and scenario planning. The upcoming PATA Tourism Strategy Forum presents an excellent opportunity for us to highlight best practice and engage in open discussion with industry professionals.”

Dr Yeoman is currently an Associate Professor of Tourism Management at Victoria University, New Zealand. His most recent book, 'Tomorrow's Tourists: Scenarios and Trends', looks at where the global tourist will go on holiday in 2030 and what they will do.

He is a popular speaker at conferences and was described by the UK 'Sunday Times' as the country's leading contemporary futurologist. Dr Yeoman has undertaken consultancy projects for a number of tourism bodies including the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

“We are delighted to have Dr Yeoman join us at the upcoming PATA Tourism Strategy Forum. His in-depth experience with the variety of issues in the tourism industry and their impact on growth trends will be greatly welcomed by delegates. We are extremely fortunate to have Ian onboard for this event,” said John Koldowski, Director - Strategic Intelligence Centre, PATA.

The international event is being planned in cooperation with the Yunnan Provincial Tourism Administration and the Kunming Municipal Tourism Administration. It is sponsored by leading tourism research firms, Insignia Research and DK Shifflet and Associates and formally endorsed by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC).